Mizzou hires Wren Baker as deputy director of athletics for external relations

Missouri announced Wednesday that Wren Baker has been hired as the deputy director of athletics for external relations.

Baker, 36, joins new athletic director Mack Rhoades’ staff from Memphis and replaces former deputy athletic director Doug Gillin, who became the Appalachian State athletic director in April.

“We are very excited Wren is becoming a member of our team,” Rhoades said in a statement. “He is regarded as one of the up-and-coming administrators in the nation and has established an impressive track record of success at every stop of his career path.

“Throughout his career, Wren has demonstrated terrific work ethic, the ability to genuinely connect with people and uncompromising integrity. He is a high-energy person who will provide great passion and leadership for our student-athletes, coaches and staff.”

Baker, who will assume the post June 8, served as Northwest Missouri State’s athletic director for two years during 2011-2013.

He will oversee all external relations for the MU athletic department and serve as the men’s basketball administrator.

“I am honored to be joining the Mizzou family and am grateful to Mack Rhoades for the opportunity,” Baker said. “The University of Missouri has a tremendous reputation, and Mack is considered one of the best and brightest leaders in collegiate athletics. Our family is looking forward to returning to the Show-Me State and joining Mack’s team as we build on a proud and prestigious athletic tradition.”

Baker had been the deputy director of athletics for external affairs since February 2013 at Memphis, where he helped secure the largest donation in school history to launch a $40 million capital campaign.

“The University of Memphis is indebted to Wren for his work and service,” Memphis athletic director Tom Bowen said. “He is an incredibly bright, young star in athletic administration. I want to congratulate Wren, and wish him and his family a wonderful new beginning at the University of Missouri.”

Suite sales and multimedia rights revenues also reached record highs on Baker’s watch, which included membership and donation growth for Memphis’ Tiger Scholarship Fund.

“One of the first things I think about when someone mentions Wren Baker is vision,” Bearcats football coach Adam Dorrel said. “My biggest takeaway from my time working with him at Northwest was his vision, and I believe it’s one of the greatest assets he will bring with him to the University of Missouri. He challenged me each and every day to become a better coach, something I will always remember and be thankful for. As a first-time head coach, his leadership was invaluable. I think Missouri made a wonderful hire.”

Baker also previously served as the first athletic director in the history of Rogers State in Claremore, Okla., where he was the youngest athletic director at any four-year school in the country. He also served as the Hillcats’ men’s basketball coach.

Baker, who also served as a basketball operations assistant at Oklahoma State during 2001-2005, and his wife, Heather, have two daughters, Addisyn and Reagan.

He graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in education from Southeastern Oklahoma State and completed a master’s degree in education leadership in 2003 at Oklahoma State.

This story was originally published May 20, 2015 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Mizzou hires Wren Baker as deputy director of athletics for external relations."